Breech mechanism



H. x. STAMBAUGH AND G. M. McCANN. BREECH MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 8, 1919.

1 3348 ,5 94. Patented Aug. 3, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1. Q (\g (kg H. J. STAMBAUGH AND G. M. MpCANN.

BREECH MECHANISM.

- APPLICATION FILED DEC. 8,-i9l9. 1 348 594 Patented Aug. 3, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H. J. STAMBAUGH AND G. M. McCANN.

-BREECH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILEYYDEC. 8, 1919.}

1,348,594. mememug. 3,1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET a.

anomtozs .JJiwrzZazgh max-4% H. J. STAMBAUGH AND G. M. McLANN.

BREECH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 8. I919.

348, 5 94 Patented Aug. 3,1920.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY J. STAMIBAUGH AND GEORGE M. MCCANN, OF WASHINGTON,

COLUMBIA.

DISTRICT OF BREE-CH MECHANISM.

Application filed December 8, 1919.

To (IZZ u'im/nit 711 (11 concern:

Be. it known that we, HENRY J. STAM- BAUGH and Gnonos M. MCCANN, citizens of the United States, residing at \Vashington, in the District of Columbia. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Breech Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

our invention relates to breech mechanisms and particularly that type employing a swinging carrier, and a cam device operated by swinging movement of the carrier to initiate locking rotation of the breech plug and by unlocking. rotation of the plug to initiate opening movement of the carrier.

Broadly speaking it is our purpose to provide an improved structure in this type of mechanism for moving the breech plug longitudinally relatively to the carrier to get the gas check out of and into its seat so that the slope of the seat can be materially reduced and yet provide suflicient clearance for the swinging of the breech plug.

More specifically it is the purpose of our invention to positively hold the carrier to the gun during that portion of its closing movement occurring during the translation of the energy in the closing carrier to plug rotation energy and the translation of the rotary movement of the plug to longitudinal movement whereby both the smoothness of action of the translating devices and the operation of the breech mechanism as a whole is enhanced and controlled; to provide an axially rotatable device on the carrier with which the plug is non-rotatably and slidably engaged. a cam device between the member and gun for rotating the member and plug and a second cam device between the plug and carrier for moving the plug longitudinally relative to the carrier, said last named device including a variable lead cam whereby one movement of the plug is produced in varying ratio to the other movement, and to generally improve the construction, arrangement of parts and operation of a gun of the type specified.

\Ve will describe our invention in the best form known to us at present. but it will be apparent that the same is susceptible to changes in form and proportions and to Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 3, 1920.

Serial No. 343,295.

desirable additions with the exercise of only ordinary mechanical skill and without departing from the scope thereof as set forth in the appended claims.

In describing our invention in detail reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts in the sev eral views, and in which Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a gun constructed in accordance with our invention and with the breech locked and the carrier partly broken away.

Fig. 2, a section on the line 2-2 of ig- Fig. 3, a view similar to Fig. 2 with the parts in the position they would occupy just prior to the operation of the cam devices in closing the breech or just following the operation of said devices inopening 'the breech;

Fig. 4, a fragmental view similar to Fig. 3 with certain portions broken away to more clearly disclose the variable lead cam on the carrieriefor controlling the longitudinal movement of the breech plug;

Fig. 5, a detail view of the cam on the gun for initiating both locking rotation of the plug and opening movement of the carrler;

Fig. 6, a detail view of the variable lead cam on the carrier;

Fig. 7, a rear view of the axially rotatable member detached; and

Fig. 8, a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings A is the gun, B the breech plug. and C the swinging carrier which latter embodies a tubular spindle C. The plug B is provided with a rearward extension B disposed in the bore of the spindle and whereby the plug is supported by the carrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements. Extending axially through the plug and capable of limited sliding movement relative thereto is the stem 10 of a mushroom 11 and confined between the plug B and mushroom 11 is a gas check 12 of the De Bange type.

Rotation of the plug B is effected through the medium of a member 13 rotatably mounted on the carrier and projecting into an annular recess 14 formed in the rear face of the plug and which also receives the spindle C" of the carrier. This member .13 is provided with a series of longitudinal ribs 15 which are engaged in grooves 16 formed in the plug B and whereby the plug is nonrotatably and slidably engaged with the member 13. The rear end of the member 13 is provided with a flange 15' which completely covers the breech recess in the gun when the mechanism is closed as clearly shown in Fig. 1 and thereby affords a protection against entrance of dust and grit.

The flange 15' is provided with a rearward extension 16 on which is slidably mounted a cross head 17. This cross head 17 is en gaged by the pin 18 of a crank 19, the latter being carried by a shaft 20. This shaft 20 is rotatably mounted in a bearing 21 mounted on the carrier C and has suitably secured thereto at its outer end an operating handle 22. liy this construction it will be apparent that by rotating the shaft 20 through the medium of the handle 22 the member 13 will be rotated and the rotation of this member will in turn rotate the plu The structure just described is employed when it is desired to manually rotate the plug. To utilize the energy stored in the swinging breech mechanism to initiate locking rotation of the plug we provide on the gun a cam 23 having an effective cam face 21 adapted to be engaged by a roller 25 which latter is rotatably mounted on a pintle 26 fixed to the flange 15. The pintle 26 is provided with a reduced extension 27 adapted to engage in a groove 28 in the cam 23 and thereby lock the carrier to the gun during translation of the stored energy of the swinging breech mechanism. by the cam device previously described. to energy, to initiate the locking rotation of the plug. It will be obvious that the structure just described will also serve to initiate opening movement of the carrier as the result of unlocking rotation of the plug.

In order to move the plug B longitudinally relatively to the carrier and in varying ratio to the rotative movement of the plug we provide the bearing 21 with an extension 28 and cut into this extension at variable lead cam groove 29. Adapted to travel in this groove 29 during rotation of the plug is a roller 30 mounted on a spindle 31 fixed to an extension 32 of the plug which passes through an opening 33 provided in the flange 15.

Assuming the breech mechanism is closed and the parts have reached the position, shown in Fig. 3 it will be apparent that upon continued closing movement of the carrier the extension 27 will engage in the groove '29 and the roller 25 will coact with the cam face 21 to translate the stored energy in the swinging breech mechanism to energy to initiate locking rotation of the plug B. During this rotation of the plug the roller 30 will coact with the cam faces of the groove 29 to move the plug forward longitudinally in varying ratio to'its rotative movement and project the gas check 12 into its seat while the plug is disposed substantially in axial alinement with the bore of the gun. In opening the breech of the gun it will be apparent that the unlocking rotation of the plug will" cause the necessary coaction between the roller 30 and the cam faces of the groove 29 to withdraw the plug longitudinally from its seat and that during this rotation of the plug the roller will coact with the cam surface or cam face 21 to initiate opening movement of the carrier. It will be observed that by the construction just described we are enabled to positively lock the carrier to the gun during translations of energy and movement and thereby enhance the smoothness of the action of the translating devices and the smoothness of the operation of a breech mechanism of this type as a whole.

\Ve claim:-

1. In a breech mechanism. the combination of a rotatable plug. a crank shaft, an operating member movable with respect to and connected to the plug for effecting rotation thereof. a cross head slidably and rotatably mounted on the member. and a crank pin on the crank shaft engaging the cross head.

2. In a gun. the combination of a movable carrier. a rotatable breech plug. an axially rotatable element mounted on the carrier and operatively connected with the breech plug to rotate the latter. the axis of rotation of said element being coincident with the axis of rotation of the plu and a cam device operated by closing movement of the carrier to rotate the element and thereby rotate the plug.

3. In a gun. the combination of a movable -arrier. a rotatable breech plu an axially rotatable element mounted on the carrier and operativcly connected with the breech plug to rotate the latter, the axis of rotation of said element being coincident with the axis of rotation of the plug. and a cam device operated by closing movement of the carrier to rotate the element and thereby rotate the plug. one member of said device being on the gun and the other on the axially rotatable element.

4. In a gun. the combination of a movable carrier. a rotatable breech plu yan axially rotatable element mounted on the carrier and operatively connected with the breech plug to rotate the latter. the axis of rotation of said element being coincident with the axis of rotation of the plug, and a cam device operated by unlocking rotation of the plug and coacting between the gun and the axially rotatable element to initiate opening movement of the carrier.

'5. In a gun, the combination of a movable carrier, a rotatable breech plug, an axially rotated member mounted on the carrier and operatively connected to the plug, the axis of rotation of said memberbeing coincident with the axis, of rotation of the plug, a cam on the gun, and an element on the member coacting with the cam during closing movement of the carrier to initiate locking rotation of the plug and during unlocking rotation of the plug to initiate opening moves ment of the carrier.

6. In a gun, the combination of a movable carrier, a breech plug mounted on the carrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements, a rotatable member on the carrier with which the plug is non-rotatably and slid-ably engaged, means for rotating the member to in turn rotate the plug, and means operated by rotation of the plug to move the latter longitudinally.

7. In a gun, the combination of a movable carrier, a breech plug mounted on the carrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, a rotatable member on the carrier operatively connected with the plug to rotate the latter, and means operating while the carrier is moving for simultaneously imparting both movements to the plug in varying ratiowith respect to each other.

8. In a gun, the combination of a movable carrier, a breech plug mounted on the carrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, a rotatable member on the carrier 0 )eratively connected with the plug to rotate he latter, means operated during closing movement of the carrier to rotate the member and thereby rotate the plug, and means operating during rotation of the plug to move the latter lon gitudinally with respect to the carrier.

9. In a gun, the combination of a movable carrier, a breech plug mounted on the carrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, a rotatable member on the carrier operatively connected with the plug to rotate the latter, a am device operated during closing movement of the carrier to rotate the member and thereby rotate the plug, and means operating during rotation of the plug to move the latter longitudinally with respect to the carrier.

10. In a gun, the combination of a movable carrier, a breech plug mounted on the carrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, a rotatable member on the carrier operatively connected with the plug to rotate the latter. means operated during closing movement of the carrier to rotate the member and thereby rotate the plug, and a cam device operating during rotation of the plug to move the latter longitudinally with respect to the carrier.

11. In a gun, the combination of a movable carrier, at breech plug mounted on the carrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, a rotatable member on the carrier operatively connected with the plug to rotate the latter, a cam device operated during closing movement of the carrier to rotate the member and thereby rotate the plug, and a second cam device operating during rotation of theplug to move the latter longitudinally with respect to the carrier.

12. In a gun, the combination of a movable carrier, a breech plug mounted on the carrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, a rotatable member on the carrier operatively connected with the plug to rotate the latter, means operated during closing movement of the carrier to rotate the member and there Y by rotate the plug, and means operating during rotation of the plug to move the latter longitudinally with respect to the carrier, and in varying ratio with respect to the rotative movement of the plug.

13. In a gun, the combination of a movable carrier, a breech plug mounted on the carrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, a rotatable member on the carrier operatively connected with the plug to rotate the latter, a cam device operated during closing movement of the carrier to rotate the member. and thereby rotate the plug, and means operating during rotation of the plug to move the latter longitudinally with respect to the carrier, and in varying ratio with respect to the rotative movement of the plug.

14. In a gun, the combination of a movable carrier, a breech plug mounted on the carrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, a rotatable member on the carrier operatively connected with the plug to rotate the latter. means operated during closing movement of the carrier to rotate the member and thereby rotate the plug, and a cam device operating during rotation of the plug to move the latter longitudinally with respect to the carrier, and in varying ratio with respect to the rotative movement of the plug.

15. In a gun, the combination of a movable carrier, a breech plug mounted on the carrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, a rotatable member on the carrier operatively connected with the plug to rotate the latter, a cam device operated during closing movement of the carrier to rotate the member and thereby rotate the plug, and a second cam device operating during rotation of the plug to move the latter longitudinally with respect to the carrier, and in varying ratio with respect to the rotative movement of the plug.

16. In a gun, the combination of a movable ca-rrier. a breech plug mounted on the carrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, a rotatable member on the carrier with which the plug is non-rotatably and slidably engaged, means for rotating the member to in turn rotate the plug. and means for moving the plug longitudinally during rotation thereof.

17. In a gun. the combination of a movable carrier, a breech plug mounted on the carrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, a rotatable member on the carrier with which the plug is nonaotatably and slidably engaged, a cam device for rotating the member to in turn rotate the plug as the latter enters the breech, and means for moving the plug longitudinally during rotation thereof.

18. In a gun, the combination of a movable carrier. a breech plug mounted on the carrier for both rotatable'aud longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, a rotatable member on the carrier with which the plug is non-rotatably and slidably engaged, a cam device for rotating the member to in turn rotate the plug as the latter enters the breech, and a second cam device operating during rotation of the plug to move the latter longitudinally.

19. In a gun, the combination of a movable carrier, a breech plug mounted on the carrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, at rotatable member on the carrier with which the plug is non-rotatably and slidably engaged, a cam device coacting between the gun and member to rotate the member and plug as the latter enters the breech, and means for moving the plug longitudinally during rotation thereof.

20. In a gun, the combination of a movable carrier. a breech plug mounted on the carrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, at rotatable member on the carrier with which the plug is non-rotatably and slidably engaged, a cam device coacting between the gun and member to rotate the member and plug as the latter enters the breech. and a second cam device coacting between the plug and carrier to move the plug longitudinally during rotation thereof.

21. In a gun, the combination of a movable carrier. a breech plug mounted on the carrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, a rotatable member on the carrier with which the plug is non-rotatably and slidably engaged, means for rotating the member to in turn rotate the plug, and a variable lead cam device between the plug and carrier for translating the rotary movement of the plug to longitudinal movement.

22. In a gun, the combination of a movable carrier, at breech plug mounted on the carrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, a rotatable member on the carrier with which the plug is non-rotatably and slidably engaged, a cam on the gun, a roller on the member coacting with the cam on the gun during closing movement of the carrier to rotate the member and plug, a cam on the carrier, and a roller on the plug coacting with the cam on the carrier during rotation of the plug to move the latter longitudinally with respect to the carrier.

23. In a gun. the combination of a movable carrier, a breech plug mounted on the ?arrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, a rotatable member on the carrier with which the plug is non-rotatzibly and slidably engaged. a cam 011 the gun, a roller on the member coacting with the cam on the gun during closing movement of the carrier to rotate the member and plug, a variable lead cam on the carrier, and a. roller on the plug coacting with the cam on the-carrier during rotation of the plug to move the latter longitudinally in varying ratio with respect to the rotary movementof the plug.

21. In a gun, the combination of a movable carrier, a breech plug mounted on the carrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, a rotatable member on the carrier having its axisfl of rotation coincident with the axis of rotation of the plug and with which the plug is non-rotatably and slidably engaged, means for rotating the member to in turn rotate the plug, and means for moving the plug longitudinally during rotation thereof.

25. In a gun. the combination of a movable carrier, at breech plug mounted on the carrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, a rotatable member on the carrier having its axis of rotation coincident with the axis of rotation of the plug, a. cam device for rotating the member to in turn rotate the plug as the latter enters the breech, and means for moving the plug longitudinally with respect to the 'arrier during rotation thereof.

26. In a gun. the combination of a movable carrier. a breech plug mounted on the carrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respectto the carrier, a rotatable member on the carrier having its axis of rotation coincident with the axis of rotation of the plug and with which the plug is non-rotatably and slidably engaged, a cam device for rotating the member and plug as the latter enters the breech, and a.

member and plug as the latter enters the breech, and means for moving the plug longitudinally during rotation thereof.

28. In a gun, the combination of a movable carrier, a breech plug mounted on the carrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, a rotatable member on the carrier having its axis of rotation coincident with the axis of rotation of the plug and with which the plug is non-rotatably and slidably engaged, a cam on the gun, a roller on the member coacting with the cam on the gun during closing movement of the carrier to rotate the member and plug, a cam on the carrier, and a roller on the plug coacting with the cam on the carrier during rotation of the plug to move the latter longitudinally with respect to the carrier.

29. In a gun, the combination of a movable carrier, a breech plug mounted on the carrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, a rotatable member mounted on the carrier and having its axis of rotation coincident with the axis of rotation of the plug and with which the plug is non-rotatably and slidably engaged, a cross head slidably mounted on the member, and a crank shaft operatively engaged with the cross head for rotating the member and plug.

30. In a gun, the combination of a movable carrier, a breech plug mounted on the carrier for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, a rotatable member on the carrier having its axis of rotation coincident with the axis of rotation of the plug, a cross head slidably mounted on the member, a crank shaft operativcly engaged with the cross head for rotating the member and plug, and a cam device between the plug and carrier operating during rotation of the plug to move the latter longitudinally.

31. In a gun, the combination of a movable carrier, a rotatable breech plug, a rotatable member on the carrier having its axis of rotation coincident with the axis of rotation of the plug and with which the plug is non-rotatably engaged, a flange on said member entirely covering the breech recess, and a cam device coacting between the flange and gun during closing movement of the carrier to rotate the member and plug.

32. In a gun, the combination of a movable breech mechanism including a carrier and a breech plug mounted thereon for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, a rotatable member mounted on the carrier with which the plug is non-rotatably and slidably enga ed, means for translating the energy store in the closing breech mechanism into energy to rotate the member and plug, means for translating the rotative movement of the plug to longitudinal movement, and means for positively holding the carrier to the gun during said translations.

33. In a gun, the combination of a movable breech' mechanism including a carrier and a breech plug mounted thereon for both rotatable and longitudinal movements with respect to the carrier, a rotatable member mounted on the carrier with which the plu is non-rotatably and slidably engage means for translating the energy stored in the closing breech mechanism into energy to rotate the member and plug, means for translating the rotative movement of the plug to longitudinal movement, and an element on the member interlocked with a part fixed relativelyv to the gun during said translations to positively hold the carrier to the gun.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

HENRY J. STAMBAUGH. GEORGE M. MoCANN. Witnesses:

HENRY T. BRIGHT, CARROLL BAILEY. 

